Answer

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases are diseases that affect the digestive system lining. They comprise Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, 2021). This essay thus describes the similarities, differences, causes and treatments of the two diseases.

Differences between Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s disease affects the entire digestive system from the mouth to the anus, whereas ulcerative colitis only affects the colon. In Crohn’s disease, inflammation can extend through the bowel wall’s thickness to the digestive tract’s outermost layer. In contrast, in ulcerative colitis, inflammation only involves the inner lining known as Mucosa (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, 2021).

Similarities of the two Diseases

Both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis develop in young people and most often cause impaired growth in children.

Crohn’s Disease

Causes

The family history of a patient who has Crohn’s is taken into account as it is likely that he/she may have the disease due to their genetic variation.

Environmental factors can also cause vulnerable individuals’ immune system to malfunction by attacking healthy tissue inside the digestive system, leading to inflammation.

Treatment

Pharmaceuticals such as Corticosteroids and immuno-suppressants are helpful. These drugs target the immune system and help reduce inflammation. Biologics are effective for moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease. This drug works by using specially developed antibodies to selectively block the molecules involved in the gut wall’s inflammation.

In dietary treatments, patients have to maintain good nutrition because Crohn’s disease often reduces appetite while, on the other hand, increases the body’s energy needs. Common Crohn’s symptoms like diarrhoea can reduce the body’s ability to absorb fat, carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and water. Thus, paying attention to the foods consumed may help restore lost nutrients, lessen symptoms and stimulate healing (DocMikeEvans, 2013; Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, 2021).

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help protect one from getting Crohn’s disease through exercises, eating healthy and avoiding certain habits such as smoking. Talk therapy or yoga is also vital to avoid the recurrence of chron’s symptoms.

Ulcerative Colitis

Causes

The autoimmune condition leads to Ulcerative colitis as the immune system malfunctions by mistaking friendly bacteria in the colon as a harmful infection. In turn, ulcerative colitis leads to the inflammation of the colon and the rectum (DocMikeEvans, 2013).

Environmental condition is a causal factor of colitis as the disease is more prevalent in urban areas of northern parts of Western Europe and America. Environmental factors such as air pollution are also a causal factor of ulcerative colitis.

Inherited genes are also a factor in the development of colitis, as further studies have indicated that 1 out of 4 people have a family history of the condition (DocMikeEvans, 2013).

Treatment

Treatment using pharmaceuticals involve the doctor prescribing 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) to reduce swelling and inflammation. Biologic drugs are usually preferable in situations of moderate to severe symptoms. These drugs are antibody medications that aid in blocking inflammation.

Consuming lots of vitamin C helps intestines recover faster after a flare, and they also assist people in extended periods of remission. People agonizing from inflammatory bowel disease are susceptible to diarrhoea after a high fat intake. Thus, they have to eat foods low in fat because they may aid in impeding flares.

Adopting a positive lifestyle such as participating in focus groups, taking stress reduction classes, and exercising will also help prevent flares.